Special Education means an education that provides for students with special needs such as Autism, Down Syndrome, or deafness. In the early times of the American education, those with disabilities were often looked over or ignored. After going through Congress multiple times, the Special Education program was finally established with the making of two fundamental federal laws, both enacted in 1975. These two bills, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), addressed the education of children with disabilities. The EHA gives such students the right to public education regardless of disability, while on the other hand, the IDEA requires schools to provide individualized or special education for children with qualifying disabilities. Our special education program at Wheeler implements such laws and is known for its continuation over the years. At Wheeler, kids with special needs along with the regular students are assisted to the fullest degree, so that both groups get a sense of what it is like to work with different students. One way that the students with disabilities get to communicate with the regular students is through the coffee shop which is run by our very own Special Education program. While in the coffee lounge, the special education students are busy making delicious coffee and serving it to anybody who would like some.
Of course, there will be some differences in special education and regular education when it comes to being in the classroom. When asked about some of the methods you may use in the classroom to help the students get a better understanding, Ms.Rich responded, “We have slower pacing and an increased amount of repetition. I try to present material in a variety of different ways to reach everyone’s learning style. Many of my students respond well to learning facts through music or games.” Our fantastic special education teachers always make sure that their lesson is presented to the whole classroom is a way that every student can understand, even if that means teaching one lesson in various ways.

Some activities that are done in a Wheeler special education classroom are working on high school academic standards by using adapted text and materials. “The last book study we had was Dr. Jeykll and Mr. Hyde. We are currently studying ancient civilizations and the inventions that came from them.” Says Ms.Rich. They also work on functional math, for example counting money and telling time.
Some significant activities that are taught are daily living skills such as cooking, sorting, and folding clothes, which are needed to live an independent life. They also work on pre-vocational and social skills, which are the skills necessary to work in a restaurant, a store, or at an office or a manufacturer. I was also informed that our very own special education students take field trips into the community once a month to practice their new skills in the “real world.” Here at Wheeler, our Special Education Teacher’s goals are to teach our students enough skills so that one day they will be able to live off independently.
I asked Ms.Rich what the ranges and different levels of disabilities that you would see in a Special Education classroom at Wheeler were and she responded, “There are 14 different categories that can qualify students for resources under special education. They include everything from Autism to Vision Deficits. I teach a class that supports students with intellectual disabilities but who also may have Autism, vision and speech deficits or physical disabilities. Every student at Wheeler has a range of abilities. The same is true for the students that I teach. I have a student who is on the cheerleading squad, one who is on the swim team and others who are involved in a variety of activities in the community. I am continually amazed and inspired at how my students excel to the best of their ability with a positive attitude.” This makes me believe that our special education students not only are involved in the community but are also high achievers.

“I love teaching at Wheeler. The Special Ed department has excellent leadership and support from Dr. Giles, Ms. Joyner, and Mrs. Oakley. We have a wonderful group of dedicated teachers who truly care for the students and work countless hours on their behalf. Best of all, I love the students. I look forward every day to seeing their smiles, having fun learning together and celebrating their achievements.” Answered Ms.Rich when asked if she enjoyed teaching Special Education here at Wheeler. Our Special Education students are genuinely talented and ambitious, just like our teachers. The special education students often get praised and recognized for doing well. The families of these students appreciate all the effort and time devoted to the program.